Paul McDermott

No, not another Lisbeth Salander tale.

This is a short illustrated poem, a fable about a depressed young girl who attempts suicide by eating bees. The result of the bee-eating wasn't quite what she (or I) expected.

It's a very pretty book, nicely illustrated with black and white ink drawings, but unfortunately the poem just didn't really work for me, I never got into the rhythm of the rhymes. And suicidal children aren't exactly my preferred reading subject matter. But the result of the bee eating is unexpected (unless you read the back of the book) and that made it almost charming.… (más)

A collection of the author's columns from "Sunday Life". Sometimes funny, sometimes insightful, and occasionally rather tedious. As this is a collection of small pieces, it was easy to read, allowing me to pick it up and put it down again (mostly when I was bored by a particular piece and needed a break).

As funny at McDermott can be, at least in my memories of his work in the past, somehow this collection was a little lacklustre. Sure, I literally laughed out loud, much to the annoyance of my companions, in one or two places, but I wanted more. It never came.

Still, McDermott has a flair for writing, and for viewing the world from a unique perspective. Perhaps if I was reading these pieces at a rate of one a week, I would have been more appreciative?… (más)